CR7 to Mourinho: "Not Fair to Criticize Me"

On Tuesday night, moments after Real Madrid’s unconvincing first leg victory (2-0) over Valencia in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey, the players embraced each other knowing that half the job had been done.

Meanwhile, José Mourinho was waiting for his team in the locker rooms, as he usually does. The Portuguese congratulated his players, patting each one on the back, but when Ronaldo walked in, the coach told him: "You went missing in the last 15 minutes, Cris. Joao Pereira was working wonders on the right wing".

Ronaldo looked at his manager in disbelief and could not conceive what he was being told, but Mourinho did not stop there: "You know how important a goal can be in these cup games. You must work right until the end".

Real Madrid's boss also criticized the striker for taking a quick throw-in, with only one minute left on the clock, allowing Valencia to regain possession and hit Real on the counter-attack. The disgruntled player, shaking his head, then answered Mourinho back in front of the players: "I put everything into it for you. You’re not fair to criticize me", Ronaldo said slightly louder than normal - albeit not aggressively - showing the striker’s discomfort at his coach’s words.

Florentino Pérez was yet to enter the locker room at this point, but was informed shortly after by a staff member who had witnessed the incident. However, nothing more came of the matter. Mourinho forgave Ronaldo as he knows that "nobody is more demanding of himself than Cristiano”. For him, it was all just a bit of banter.